Shari Verona and Miracle Hill Entertainment- Unions Can Happen Unexpectedly

Business and Lifestyle, Entertainment — By Bernard Samms on September 17, 2017 at 5:20 am

By Bernard Samms

Unions can happen unexpectedly. While visiting an event at an L.A. art gallery, Palm Springs resident/ comedy writer, Shari Verona had a chance discussion there about art and Impressionism. Little did she know it was with actor Cory Roberts, hot off the film, “The Bad Batch,” with Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey and Jason Momoa.

The two, viewing and discussing paintings, made a distinct impression on the other. As racial tension was covered on nightly news, the color-blind strangers became friends. That actor, Cory, would subsequently visit the comedy writer when he wanted to escape the congestion of L.A., laughing, reading her screenplays. At the time, he was unaware that he had become a friend of funny lady Verona, who wrote for the late Sherman Hemsley and many sitcom pilots, including a re-write for a Will and Jada (Pinkett) Smith project.

Three months later, Roberts and Verona joined one race- together- to obtain funding for these hilarious crossover comedies. It led to Miracle Hill Entertainment, whereby both were compelled to start packaging these gems, written under budget. Though Verona’s loyalty had been with another company that had plans of producing some of her other works, she felt she had come across a potentially successful and profitable venture.

Miracle Hill began making shrewd moves, acquiring comedy Emmy-nominated editor Stephen Waichulis, Micah Brandt, unit production manager and several accomplished actors that became a part of this diverse group with one common goal- to have funded top quality comedies with positive messages and realistic budgets.

Although Shari Verona was continually receiving life-changing offers, Hollywood, with its ‘hurry up and wait mentality,” began dragging its feet.  Cory, garnering momentum with his acting career, wanted to cherry pick outstanding roles. “She is consistently funny, showing longevity reminiscent of a John Hughes,” said actor Sherman Hemsley, who compared Verona to a modern Norman Lear. Verona responded, “But Sherman, I don’t have eight million dollars to make your next movie”. He responded “No, but you have my next hit!”

Shari has had a few difficult moments in her career, such as a story she recounted to Cory about a gut wrenching letter she received years ago, from Preferred Artists Agency, a rejection letter with the difficult words, “we have to pass, however, not representing you as a client has been the most difficult decision of my career.”

 “I wanted to get on board but shockingly there was no ship,” Cory Roberts admits. “We built one and are now setting sail, joining forces. After reading these scripts, and blowing my mind, she later showed me a sitcom. It was great. There was no selling me-when you know you know.”

Cory Roberts, building on his growing popularity, began to obtain worldwide press and became a go-to- being called by A-list celebrities for acting work. Though he does take on selective jobs, his focus is Miracle Hill Entertainment. The chance meeting that Shari and Cory had was a miracle, which inspired the name of the company and shaped the road where their plans evolved.

Photographer Kevin Joseph referred producer Rob Margolies to the company.  Margolies had a similar vision, as he had produced successful mid-budget urban crossover comedies. Though Margolies is bi-coastal (New York to L.A.), his mantra was the same. “Comedies don’t have to cost a fortune to produce when they are character and story driven.” Shari has mastered the art. With Hulu, Amazon, Netflix, the market is open for their considerable talent and there’s an insatiable appetite for product they possess.

Cory Roberts has a Doctorate of Psychology and Shari Verona holds an Associate of Arts degree in English. They joke that they are now surpassing those with B.S. degrees. This masterful group is also carefully selecting “an acting, writing and producing home,” in the comedy genre.  Potential investors should contact: MiracleHillEnt@gmail.com.